Former heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua narrowly avoided a tragic fate during a recent road accident in Ogun State, a court has heard. The startling revelation came from his driver, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, during proceedings at the Ogun State MultiDoor Court in Sagamu.
Courtroom Testimony Reveals Fateful Seat Swap
Appearing in court on Friday, the 3rd of January 2026, Adeniyi Kayode pleaded not guilty to charges of manslaughter, reckless driving, and operating a vehicle without a valid license. Dressed in a black Muslim kaftan, the 47-year-old driver provided a detailed account of the events leading to the crash.
Kayode informed the court that the journey began smoothly after picking up Joshua from the airport. However, he revealed a critical detail: Anthony Joshua had initially occupied the front passenger seat. Due to the boxer's significant height and the discomfort caused by his legs in the confined space, Kayode advised him to move. "AJ was initially seated at the front, but due to his height and legs, I told AJ to move to the back seat behind me," the driver stated.
The Moment of Crisis on the Expressway
The driver described the terrifying moment when he lost control of the vehicle. "The journey started smoothly from the airport right to the expressway until I couldn’t feel the brake anymore," Kayode testified. He explained that he was driving at approximately 70km/h when he attempted to swerve to the right to avoid an obstacle, which inadvertently directed the car towards a parked truck.
This seat change, which placed Joshua in the rear, likely played a crucial role in the boxer's survival, while the front-seat passenger, identified as Latif, sustained fatal injuries. Kayode's lawyer, Barr. Olalekan Abiodun, later corroborated this sequence of events in a discussion with journalists.
Legal Proceedings and Defence Arguments
Following the testimony, the presiding judge set bail for Adeniyi Kayode at 5 million Naira in bonds, supported by four sureties. The charges against him are severe, encompassing four counts: dangerous driving causing death, reckless and negligent driving, driving without due care and attention, and driving without a valid license.
His legal counsel, Barr. Olalekan Abiodun, defended his client's actions, describing the incident as a tragic accident. "My client has pleaded not guilty, and what happened was an accident," Abiodun stated. "I haven’t had a full chance to speak with him yet, but I know he is saying the brakes did not work."
The lawyer emphasized that the driver's request for Joshua to change seats was a safety precaution. "He did this because Anthony is a big fellow, and he couldn’t see the wing mirror properly, so he asked him to move."
The court has adjourned the case until the 20th of January for the commencement of the full trial. All parties are expected to reconvene at the Ogun State MultiDoor Court in Sagamu on that date as the legal process seeks to establish the full circumstances surrounding the fatal crash.
